5 days ago
Northern California garlic festival returns to Gilroy for the first time since mass shooting
( –A 40-year-old garlic celebration is returning to its roots in Gilroy for the first time since a mass shooting prompted it to relocate, then later be cancelled.•
In 2019, a 19-year-old gunman attacked the event, killing three people, including two children. 13 others were wounded before the shooter killed himself as police officers closed in. Subsequently, the Gilroy event moved to various locations.
Garlic Festival shooting victims: Two children and recent college graduate
Three years later, in 2022, officials said the Gilroy Garlic Festival was replaced by the California Garlic Festival at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds and Los Banos because of difficulties from the pandemic and financial restraints. Now, the Gilroy celebration is determined to make a triumphant comeback.
'Although we enjoyed a successful festival for three years, we believe it is better suited in Gilroy,' California Garlic Festival organizers said. 'We are pleased to see that Gilroy has implemented the necessary adjustments to revive their event, returning to its home base.'
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The Gilroy Garlic Festival is scheduled to take place from July 25 to 27 at Gilroy Gardens. The 3-day celebration promises to be an exciting event that includes live music entertainment, vendors, and the world-famous Pyro Chefs firing up their giant skillets with garlic-laced scampi, calamari, garlic bread, garlic fries, garlic desserts, and more.
'We are thrilled to be bringing the Gilroy Garlic Festival back this year,' said Gilroy Garlic Festival Association President Paul Nadeau. 'Our dedicated volunteers have been working tirelessly to make this event special for Gilroy and the garlic-loving community at large.'
Nadeau added, 'While this year's festival will be smaller in scope, we're thrilled to be able to gather once again to honor our past, celebrate the present, and build something lasting for the future.
Tickets are currently on sale. For more information, visit
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